In the dynamic landscape of the oil and gas industry, the downstream sector faces numerous challenges. These include navigating global economic uncertainties, mitigating supply chain costs and disruptions, adhering to increasingly stringent environmental regulations, and striving for cost-effective production.

Given this complex environment, downstream plant operators are actively seeking suppliers that can partner with them to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. This article explores how Trillium Flow Technologies provides service solutions that help operators improve their refining and processing operations in response to today’s challenges.

For the past 12 years, engineers from Trillium’s Termomeccanica Pompe legacy brand have been stationed at a customer’s petrochemical plant, with a full workshop that provides ongoing support for a comprehensive range of rotating equipment. This includes centrifugal, gear, and screw pumps, screw and reciprocating compressors, agitators, blowers, electric motors, and valves. Over the years, this on-site presence has led to a wide range of requests and services for Trillium’s engineers, ranging from spare parts to maintenance, as well as engineered solutions such as upgrades, re-rates, and retrofits.

Operational Symbiosis

Trillium’s partnership with a European-based chemical plant has yielded numerous benefits. The plant specializes in producing polymers and lubricating oils for high-tech applications. It covers approximately 4 km² and employs over 1,500 people. Around 800 m² of the site is dedicated to a permanent workshop that houses more than 20 Trillium Flow Technology employees. This workshop is fully equipped with tooling and machinery and can expand to accommodate up to 70 Trillium engineers during the annual shutdown, tripling its productivity.

The contract for housing dedicated engineers on-site began in 2013 and was recently extended to 2027. Initially brought in to perform essential maintenance on the equipment Trillium had installed, the team has since expanded their role to utilize their skills across the entire plant.

Throughout their 12-year tenure, Trillium engineers have provided comprehensive support to the customer, repairing and maintaining a wide range of equipment, including centrifugal and gear pumps, screw and reciprocating compressors, agitators, blowers, electric motors, and valves (including the revision and calibration of pressure safety valves).

The service offering has gradually expanded to include the provision of spare parts, reverse engineering of discontinued components, retrofitting units for changes in service and efficiency improvements, and even conducting complete unit redesigns based on a 3D anthropomorphic arm measurement.

Notably, Trillium engineers have redesigned a series of vacuum pumps, which they now service and supply with spare parts, significantly extending their operational lifespan for the customer.

Conclusion

The challenges faced by the oil and gas industry underscore the vital importance of collaborative partnerships between plant operators and their suppliers. These partnerships are essential for the continued success of all involved. By working closely with expert suppliers like Trillium Flow Technologies, operators can leverage specialized knowledge and resources to optimize operational efficiency, ensure safety and reliability, and achieve long-term sustainability objectives in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

www.trilliumflow.com

ERIKS Industrial Services will be exhibiting on Stand R03 at the National Manufacturing and Supply Chain Conference and Exhibition at RDS Simmonscourt on 28^th and 29^th May 2025. ERIKS, which has facilities in Belfast, Dublin and Cork, will be showcasing how its mix of products, technical support and service solutions streamline, optimize, and enhance Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) supply chains, minimizing downtime and boosting productivity for manufacturers of all types.

Supply chain robustness has been at the forefront of manufacturers’ concerns for some time now. ERIKS has key partnerships with industry’s biggest and most innovative names and is therefore able to accurately advise on product availability, as well as alternate sourcing, to maintain production. Some of these suppliers will have their products on the ERIKS stand. SKF will demonstrate its food safe bearings units that are completely sealed, lubricated for life and designed for increased bearing performance while motor manufacturer WEG will showcase an IE4 motor – an energy efficient product that helps manufacturers in the quest for sustainability as they target net zero status. Fenner is also represented on the stand and power transmission efficiency is its core concern with its range of geared drives, pulleys, belts, chains, sprockets and taper locks. Finally, the Expel compressed air filter, available exclusively through ERIKS, will be on show giving visitors a view of the ‘fit and forget’ technology that can drastically improve production reliability.

Reliability is a key theme on the ERIKS stand and the company has recently extended its innovative Reliability Service offer. The service caters for those just beginning their reliability journey right through to sites with an installed base of IIOT enabled equipment.  Those more sophisticated users can be linked to ERIKS’ Smart Asset Management platform which gives advance notification of when a reliability issue is about to occur.

Another area of focus on the ERIKS stand will be its OnSite service – which is now being used by more than 100 of the largest manufacturers across the UK and Ireland. The OnSite service is the outsourcing of a manufacturer’s MRO stores operation and supply chain to ERIKS who, as the name implies, operate a team on the site. This outsourcing leads to huge advantages when it comes to the technical and supply chain knowledge of the MRO stores team as well as other aspects such as health and safety, accurate inventory levels and the management of parts obsolescence.

Commenting on its attendance at The National Manufacturing and Supply Chain Conference and Exhibition Leon Kelly at ERIKS said, “An event that combines both manufacturing efficiency and supply chain topics is perfect for ERIKS as it touches upon so many of our key strengths. From our OnSite service and our reliability offering to our product range, delivery flexibility and supply chain insight. We really are a dependable partner for Irish manufacturers.”

As a special incentive to visit the stand, ERIKS will have a range of offers for both first time and existing customers. Make sure you speak with an ERIKS team member on the stand to access your preferential partnership offer.

For more information, please visit - https://ow.ly/t3Ku50VCvzw

On March 20, 2025, the 28th meeting of the Phased Array Subcommittee of DGZfP (German Society for Non-Destructive Testing) took place at Baker Hughes Digital Solutions GmbH in Hürth. Chaired by Andreas Mück, Head of Business Unit at SONOTEC GmbH and Chair of the Subcommittee, the event offered a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas and discussing current developments, challenges, and future directions in phased array technology.

New Members and a Fond Farewell

The meeting began with a warm welcome to the subcommittee’s new members: Ms. Lachtchouk and Mr. Kolkoori were officially introduced to the group. At the same time, members paid tribute to Roman Koch, a long-standing contributor whose dedication and expertise have left a lasting impact.

Focus on Practical Applications

Key discussions centered on real-world questions: When and how should phased array systems be used most effectively? What training paths are appropriate, and which qualification methods prove successful in practice? Extensive comparative studies have already been conducted at the DGZfP Training Center in Dortmund, with further case studies now being collected and evaluated.

Comparing Testing Methods

Another focal point was the comparison of phased array, TOFD, and radiographic testing. While there is no universally applicable answer to which method is “best,” practical training pieces provide valuable insights into each method’s limitations and advantages.

Phased Array Handbook Remains Up to Date

The Phased Array Handbook has now been available for five years and remains a relevant reference guide. A new edition is not currently planned; however, minor corrections identified over time are being compiled in an addendum sheet.

RoHS and the Future of Piezoelectric Materials

A key topic of discussion was the planned revision of the RoHS exemption concerning the use of lead in piezoceramics. The current draft limits the exemption to PZT materials, which could severely restrict applications such as high-temperature measurements. The subcommittee encourages all stakeholders to participate actively in the consultation process – whether through formal comments or by engaging in discussions with customers and suppliers – to help ensure that final decisions consider the full scope of technical implications.

Standards and International Committees

The leadership position for international committees on ultrasonic testing of welds is currently vacant. As a driver of innovation, Germany is well positioned to retain this key role. Experts interested in contributing are encouraged to come forward.

Looking Ahead

The next meeting of the DGZfP Phased Array Subcommittee will take place on September 25, 2025, at Müller & Medenbach in Gladbeck – directly following the seminar of the Leak Detection Technical Committee.

Special thanks go to the hosts and organizers, Mr. Büchler, Mr. Falter, and Mr. Bruch, for a well-coordinated event and inspiring discussions.

www.sonotec.de

As industry increasingly adopts automation and predictive maintenance, the demand for more sophisticated and integrated solutions has never been greater.  In fact, according to Allied Market Research, the global predictive maintenance market was valued at $10.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $162.1 billion by 2033. The CMMS market is undergoing consolidation, with software providers merging to gain market share, improve their offering through combined expertise and resources and  strengthen their portfolio whilst maintaining specialised offerings. These mergers benefit not only the businesses involved but also the software itself and, most importantly, the customers who rely on it.

Having spent years working with CMMS solutions in manufacturing and asset-intensive industries, I’ve witnessed how technology is transforming the way companies approach maintenance. When two CMMS providers merge strategically, leveraging each other’s strengths rather than merely acquiring intellectual property, customers reap significant benefits.

Strengthening the CMMS Value Proposition

Mergers drive innovation by combining expertise, accelerating development, and improving integration with technologies like IoT, AI, and predictive maintenance. Businesses gain smarter tools that anticipate failures and optimise scheduling, enhancing efficiency.

The most successful strategic mergers happen when the management of both the acquiring and acquired companies understand how their offerings and expertise complement one another. For example, if a company specialising in manufacturing maintenance acquires a provider with expertise in facilities management, these complementary solutions can expand the overall value proposition.  In such scenarios it is often the case that 80%-90% of the core functionality is the same but the 10%-20% of features that do not overlap form the unique selling proposition for each solution.

Strategic M&A focuses on value enhancement by creating solution interoperability while maintaining solution specialisation, offering genuine feature and service improvements, strengthening the company and benefiting customers.

Bringing the Best Minds Together

Mergers also unite industry experienced experts, and provided that the cultures align, fostering a dynamic environment for innovation and collaboration. The merger of experts is equally important as the merger of solutions as it can accelerate the implementation of new ideas, driving the next generation of solutions that address long-standing industry challenges.

By bringing together the successful talent, companies can foster a culture of innovation and growth to the benefit of customers and shareholders.

Direct Benefits to Customers

The immediate advantage for customers comes with business stability and confidence in the solutions they have invested in.  Furthermore, combined teams provide an enhancement of services, improved support, and acceleration of product development within the merged business.

Customers may also benefit from a steady stream of updates and new features. When resources are pooled, software enhancements become more frequent and impactful. Maintenance teams gain access to new tools, from mobile-friendly interfaces to automated work order scheduling. Integration with other business systems, such as hosting and ERP solutions, delivers economies of scale, deploying further focus on technology and services.

Pricing structures may also become more flexible. Larger companies often introduce scalable subscription models, allowing businesses to tailor their CMMS usage to their needs. Bundled solutions provide access to advanced features that may have previously been cost-prohibitive.

The Bigger Picture: What Customers Can Achieve with Advanced CMMS Solutions

For industries like manufacturing and asset-intensive sectors, advanced CMMS solutions deliver operational efficiency and cost savings. Predictive maintenance capabilities mean fewer unplanned shutdowns, reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of critical equipment. Optimised maintenance schedules help production lines run smoothly, improving overall asset performance.

A well-integrated CMMS streamlines workflows, automating work orders, tracking asset history, and coordinating team activities. This allows maintenance teams to focus on critical tasks rather than administrative burdens.

Data-driven decision-making is a game-changer. An advanced CMMS integrated with BI tools provides real-time insights, helping businesses refine their maintenance strategies. From identifying recurring equipment issues to forecasting future maintenance needs, data-rich CMMS solutions help organisations stay ahead of potential problems rather than constantly reacting to breakdowns.

Why Now? The CMMS Industry Is at an inflection point

CMMS solutions are no longer just digital filing cabinets for work orders and asset records; they’ve evolved into mission critical tools for strategic maintenance planning. As industries move towards fully connected, automated ecosystems with IoT sensors, predictive maintenance tools, and BI-enabled platforms, businesses that fail to embrace innovation risk falling behind.

Mergers and acquisitions in the CMMS sector is accelerating this digital transformation. By combining resources and expertise strategically, companies can push the boundaries of what CMMS solutions can achieve, offering customers a cutting-edge technology as well as more stable, well-supported, and future-proofed solutions that evolve with their business requirements.

For companies relying on CMMS to manage critical equipment and operations, these changes signal an exciting future. Next-generation CMMS solutions will minimise downtime, boost productivity, provide a safer and compliant operations as well as empower maintenance teams with the insights and tools needed to perform at their best.

About the Author

This article, written by PEMAC Director of Sales, Donal Bourke was published in Digital Construction Week Magazine on April 8th, 2025.

Donal has over 20 years’ experience working with Manufacturing Software Systems, Consulting, and Professional Services, helping clients realise business value from their investments.

PEMAC merged with Elecosoft in January 2025. Click here to read more.

Returning to the NEC Birmingham from 4-5 June as part of Smart Manufacturing Week, Maintec 2025 continues to be the definitive event for professionals focused on reliability, asset management, and predictive maintenance.

As IIOT, machine learning and to some extent AI are playing an increasing role in maintenance eco-systems, this year’s show promises to be especially forward-looking, with a strong focus on innovative developments in AI, machine learning, and the emerging vision of Industry 5.0; the next stage in industrial evolution.

Among the exhibitors driving innovation is Sparrow Networks, returning for its third year to talk about its cloud-based service for spares pooling, the optimising of inventory and data cleaning for industrial spare parts using big data and AI.  

Similarly, Chris Hansford of Hansford Sensors says, “Whether we term it Industry 5.0 or not, the direction of travel is to use more sensors, be that vibration, flow, temperature pressure or whatever and to automatically gather the data and use that to make decisions. It’s something that has been very high profile in Germany and we are starting to see more of that here.”

This all falls under the banner of Smart Maintenance, one of Maintec’s three central themes. But there’s also plenty to discover within the equally vital areas of Maintenance Products and Maintenance Services. Certas Lubricants, for instance, is bringing a fresh approach to distribution, using an advanced network to hold large volumes of stock and deliver oils and lubricants with zero risk of contamination.

On the services side, Service Geeni will be showcasing its all-in-one field service platform that helps companies manage customers, engineers, and equipment more efficiently. Meanwhile, IFS Ultimo offers insight into their Enterprise Asset Management maturity model, designed to help organisations assess and improve their maintenance practices and chart a clear path to operational excellence.

Fluke will be on hand exhibiting a wide range of portable test instruments, including the ii900Sonic Industrial Imager, which enables maintenance teams to quickly and accurately locate air, steam, gas and vacuum leaks in compressed air systems.

And for manufacturers looking to streamline their stores and focus on production, Rubix will be showcasing its industrial spare parts distribution offering as well as its InSite stores management service - where the company takes over the management of the MRO stores allowing manufacturers to focus on what they do best – manufacturing products.

For visitors to Maintec, the Maintenance Solutions Theatre will be a key hub for information and education, with sessions including a headline keynote from BMW’s

Nick Evans, Applying New Maintenance Methods and Technologies to Existing Production Systems which will explore integrating advanced maintenance technologies, and a headline panel Transforming Maintenance Strategies: From Reactive to Proactive in Smart Manufacturing featuring AETC’s Ruth Rollings exploring the shift from reactive to proactive strategies in smart manufacturing.

Whatever your sector, your goals, or your starting point, Maintec offers the tools, insights, and connections to help you move forward, from exploring the latest maintenance technologies and applications to new suppliers of the most traditional but necessary products. As ever it’s the essential gathering place for anyone and everyone looking to be part of the conversation about smarter, more efficient maintenance.

For more information visit: https://www.smartmanufacturingweek.com/

NSK Europe is set to undertake a strategic realignment, integrating the leadership and operations of its European Industrial Business Unit (EIBU) and European Automotive Business Unit (EABU). The move is designed to further strengthen the company’s focus on customers, to enhance its operational efficiency, and to position the business for continued success across both the automotive and industrial sectors.

The new structure is intended to enable NSK Europe to optimise collaboration across key functions, including manufacturing, engineering, procurement, project management and sales, whilst also maintaining dedicated customer focus and technical excellence across all the sectors it operates in.

The new organisational model reflects NSK’s commitment to agility, simplicity, and sustainability, and the company believes it will allow it to better serve the evolving needs of the business. Customer relationships remain at the heart of this transformation, with the sales function continuing to serve the industrial market and the automotive sector, as well as other areas including Global Aftermarket and linear motion technology, with dedicated teams. As part of this change, NSK Europe is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthieu Lavieuville as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

In this new role, Mr Lavieuville will oversee the merger of the Automotive and Industrial segments, before leading all NSK’s operational activities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa including sales, engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and logistics. Mr Lavieuville continue will report to CEO Dr Ulrich Nass, who commented, ‘This evolution marks an exciting chapter for NSK Europe. By bringing together the strengths of our industrial and automotive segments, we’re creating a more agile, integrated structure that supports our customers even more effectively. Matthieu’s leadership will be instrumental as we move forward on this exciting journey.’ Mr Lavieuville himself added, ‘I’m honoured to take on this new role and to work alongside such a talented and committed team. This realignment is a great opportunity to build on our collective strengths and to deliver even greater value to our customers.’

www.nsk.com

NSK Europe is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthieu Lavieuville as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. Mr Lavieuville, who has spent the last two years as the Managing Director of NSK Europe’s Automotive Business Unit, will oversee the merger of the company’s automotive and industrial divisions into one integrated organisation. He will then lead all NSK’s operational activities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa including sales, engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and logistics.

He brings over 20 years of experience in the bearings industry to the role, along with a proven track record of commercial success. He has worked for leading organisations in the sector, including Timken and JTEKT, like NSK also a Japanese company. Immediately prior to joining NSK he was Managing Director of Maltep, a French manufacturer of earthing and lightning protection equipment. Over the course of seven years with the company Mr Lavieuville doubled its sales, part of a journey which he says put him in an ideal position to take over of NSK Europe’s Automotive business in January of 2023. The appointment of a COO comes at a pivotal moment for NSK Europe, with manufacturing companies across the continent facing a shifting market landscape.

Mr Lavieuville is adamant that NSK has started to make the right moves in order to thrive in this ever-changing landscape, but he is keen to accelerate the process, noting that speed is key to success in the modern world. Mr Lavieuville’s first priority will be to enhance organisational clarity across the business. He acknowledges the merger of the automotive and industrial divisions will be a significant challenge which will require breaking silos, changing processes and even evolving the company culture. However, he believes the move will ultimately unlock the full potential of NSK and will transform the way the company serves its customers. The new COO also plans to focus on expanding NSK’s geographic and sector coverage through enhanced channel management and new distributor appointments.

‘We are delighted to welcome Matthieu in his new role as Chief Operating Officer,’ said Dr Ulrich Nass, CEO of NSK Europe. ‘He combines deep industry expertise with strong leadership and a hands-on approach. His ability to unify diverse teams and drive NSK Press Releases NSK Europe Announces Operational Realignment strategic clarity will be instrumental as we build a more agile and integrated organisation.’ Mr Lavieuville himself added, ‘I’m truly honoured to take on this role. NSK has a long standing reputation for quality and professionalism.

I look forward to helping shape the next chapter of our growth story. ‘We have a great team in place at NSK Europe and one of the things I’m most looking forward to is visiting our factories, sales offices and engineering departments to speak with colleagues directly. You get a clearer picture of the business when you listen without the management filter.’ Outside of work, Mr Lavieuville is a proud father of four and currently learning Japanese. He has also recently joined an association of French business angels, supporting startups in the tech, medical and environmental sectors. ‘Meeting young entrepreneurs keeps me energised,’ he concludes, ‘and it means I’m presented with fresh ideas which might benefit NSK.’

www.nsk.com

Thirty metres down in the ocean, pumps made by Borger are playing a vital role in pumping water out of suction buckets that (paired with jacket substructures) anchor wind turbines to the seabed.

This new method of installation, which creates only minimal noise compared to traditional piling, and far less disturbance to coastal communities, sea mammals and fish, is common in the oil and gas industries.

During installation, rather than using piledrivers, the Borger units pump water out of the giant steel upside-down buckets (open on one side that faces downwards), creating a pressure difference vacuum. Helped on their way by the weight of the structures, this anchors them into the seabed before they are then hermetically sealed.

Borger’s pumps, with their high performance and significantly smaller footprint, are already widely utilised in the marine and offshore sectors.

Borger UK

 01902 798 977

 www.boerger.com

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EEMUA has published Edition 6 of its highly respected guidance EEMUA Publication 159, ‘Above ground flat bottomed storage tanks – a guide to inspection, maintenance and repair’.

EEMUA 159 is considered to be the most comprehensive users' guide available on above ground vertical cylindrical, steel storage tanks. It is also used worldwide by regulators as an example of what good practice looks like.

EEMUA 159 is intended to assist in the establishment of essential inspection and maintenance requirements in order to minimise in-service problems and extend the useful life of these storage tanks. It offers guidance on tanks built to BS, EN or API standards for the storage of petroleum and chemical feedstocks and products and refrigerated gases. These standards include BS 2654, API 620 and API 650, DIN 4119-1 and -2, CODRES, G0801 and EN 14015. In addition, since EEMUA 159 contains information on many topics that are not covered in API 653, the EEMUA publication can be considered complementary to the API standard.

The publication sets out key features for planning and executing inspection, maintenance and repair works. It includes descriptions of the key tank components that require inspection and maintenance, degradation mechanisms and common inspection techniques, and details on tank lifting. Appendices offer guidance on how to perform assessment calculations on tank components, illustrated by means of sample calculations, as well as on repair methods.

The newly released Edition 6 includes three integrity assessment levels of increasing complexity. The use of integrity assessment levels helps to understand that different kind of rejection limits can exist for the same component. There are revised chapters on tanks and their components, degradation mechanisms and failure modes, general inspection techniques and interpretation of inspection data, tank foundations and hydrotesting. Revised flowcharts for assessing the fit-for-purpose of the tank bottom, shell and roof are now available.

The new edition also contains guidelines on change of service and guidance on new inspection methods and technologies including robotics and drones. It provides increased guidance on settlement assessment and a new chapter on stainless and duplex steel tanks. The guidelines for hydrotest exemption for major repairs and the remaining life calculations for bottom pitting have also been updated.

Availability: EEMUA 159 Edition 6 is available directly from EEMUA: https://www.eemua.org/products/publications/digital/eemua-publication-159

🌟 Discover the Future of Maintenance Management! 🌟

Verdantix’s latest Global Corporate Survey shows companies worldwide are rapidly adopting #CMMS (Computerised #Maintenance #Management Systems) to drive cost reduction and enhance long-term asset performance. 🚀

Join Donal Bourke (PEMAC | An Elecosoft Company) & Josh Graessele (Verdantix) on Wednesday, April 16th for an exclusive webinar:
🎥 From Insight to Action - What the Latest Research Says About #Maintenance Trends

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
✅ The latest trends in digital maintenance and the rising adoption of #CMMS
✅ How leading companies are reducing downtime & enhancing asset performance
✅ The role of IoT, AI, and mobile solutions in maintenance
✅ Strategies for bridging workforce skills gaps & ensuring compliance
✅ A real-world case study on digital transformation in asset and maintenance management

💡 This interactive session invites you to share your thoughts on the latest research and discuss your organization's challenges. Don’t miss your chance to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in 2025!

📌 Register now to secure your place:https://bit.ly/4i5Jrhj

#Maintenance #AssetManagement #DigitalTransformation #IoT #AI #Webinar #PEMAC #Verdantix